The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1887-09-21

The Struggle of a Good Man Against His
Love for Misunderstanding for a sign.
In the neighboring city Of Augusta
resides Uncle Jake, and also in the
same city was Uncle John, retired
merchant of that city, living at ease
upon a competence and doing good in
q mild manner. relates the Lewiston
Me- Journal. 1t was during the res
idence in Augusta of the presiding
elder limited at above that Uncle john
called upon the good dominic and sand
to him:
"Did You know. Mr.. b., that Capt.
Jake was quite sick?"
"No," said the parson, "and I'm sorry
to hear it. L will harness up and We
will go right down and see him."
So Harvesting up they soon arrived
at the house of the worthy old captain,
whom they found to be quite ill. On
going in and while the elder was con
versing with the man, Uncle John came
across very black old pipe on the
window-sill, and lingering it daintily
in his hand held it up as text for a
severe sermon to Uncle Jake, whom he
began to upbraid, relating the wicked
ness of the habit and assuring him that
he could never go to heaven If he con-
tinued to smoke. This somewhat
alarmed the old man, and he appealed
to the elder to know whether his pipe
stood between him and heaven. The
elder told the old gentleman that if he
(Uncle jake was a young man he
should not hesitate to join Uncle John
in full condemnation of the pipe, but
being an old man. and having smoked
SO many years, he hardly knew what
to say. He was of the opinion. how
ever, that he had better discontinue
and certainly leave it as matter be-
tween himself and God.
In the course of time Uncle Jake re-
covered, although he had been brought
very low. During his illness he ev:-
IDENTIFY saw things more clearly than
before. for he professed sincere repen-
lance and conversion, and one beautiful
summer evening appeared at the
prayer-meeting to relate the wonder
full story of his illness.
His story was dramatic. He related
it amid breathless interest He told
with minuteness the event of the par
sons call and how the light of wisdom
had come to him. He spared nothing.
He related the details of his recovery
and how, one afternoon, during his
convalescence, he promised the Lord
that he would never buy another piece
of tobacco. He stuck to it for many
days, and all was we'll until one day,
while he was at work on his raft, the
devil came down on the shore and
tempted him, and tempted him, until
finally he compromised with him, and
going up to the house he gave his boy
20 cents and said: "You go down to
Mr.. las and get me three plugs OF
tobacco"
when the boy got back" said Uncle
Jake to the prayer meeting, Il filled
my old pipe, pressed the tobacco into
the bowl, chuckled away at the good
time 1 would have (the devil chuckled,
too, and just then, when 1 got it all
filled, the Lord said Jake, what are
you going to do?' and took that pipe,
lifted it in my hand, and threw it be-
meath my feet, smashing it all to pieces,
and then / went out on the banks OF
the river, under a spreading elm tree,
and l prayed the Lord to help me to
leave off that dreadful habit, to come
down to me out of the eternal heavens,
to tell me what to do, and how to do it,
to go along with me and keep the pipe
out of my mouth, and then 1 waited
there for a reply, and what do you sup.
pose He said 2"
Uncle Jake paused here, dramatical
ly, for reply, as though his ear was
uplifted and open to receive the mes.
sage.
A chorus of "Ohs !" and "Ahs!" fol
lowed from the assemblage.
HE never" continued Uncle Jake
after the hustle of expectancy was
over, He never said a word"